Michael VI Bringas (1056–1057)

The elderly Michael Bringas, nicknamed Stratiotikos, ruled for one year following the brief reign of Theodora, whose death in 1056 brought the Macedonian line to an end. The Patriarch Michael I Keroularios dominated his short reign. In his policy Michael continued down the path laid out by Constantine IX: spending heavily, lavishing gifts and honors on the civil aristocracy, and ignoring the army. On Easter Day 1057 Michael failed to heed the demands of his eastern generals, which provoked an uprising with Isaakios Komnenos at its head. Although he offered Isaakios the title of caesar, making the general his successor, the combination of a conspiracy, the mob, and the patriarch forced Michael out of office prematurely.

The seals of Michael do not follow the design of his coins, but instead retain the design of his predeccesors with the bust of Christ Emmanuel on the obverse and an imperial bust on the reverse.